Is Green Tea Safe for People with Skin Cancer?

Most people with skin cancer can safely drink green tea in moderate amounts, and it can be a healthy, low‑calorie beverage. Research has not shown a clear, consistent cancer‑prevention effect from green tea, so it should be viewed as a supportive drink rather than a treatment. ^{[1] [2]} At the same time, very hot beverages can raise esophageal cancer risk, so it’s wise to let tea cool before drinking. ^[3]

What the evidence suggests

• Benefits and limits: Green tea contains catechins (like EGCG) with antioxidant properties, but studies on cancer prevention show mixed results and do not prove benefit for preventing or treating cancer. ^{[1] [2]}
• Temperature matters: Drinking tea at very high temperatures is linked to higher esophageal cancer risk, unrelated to tea type; allowing tea to cool reduces this risk. ^[3]

Safety during treatment

• General safety: Many people undergoing skin‑cancer care (including surgery, radiation, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy) can drink green tea, but it should not replace medical treatment. ^{[4] [5]}
• Supplements vs. beverages: High‑dose herbal supplements may interact with cancer drugs; this is less likely with normal dietary tea, but caution is still advised. Always tell your care team about any supplements or concentrated extracts. ^{[6] [7] [8]}

Possible interactions to consider

• Drug interactions: Some botanicals can alter how cancer medicines work; while green tea is not a common high‑risk example, concentrated extracts could theoretically affect drug metabolism, so clinicians often ask patients to disclose all supplements. ^{[6] [7] [8]}
• Caffeine content: Caffeine can affect sleep, heart rate, and some medications’ side effects; if sensitive, choose decaffeinated green tea. There is observational evidence linking higher caffeine intake with lower basal cell carcinoma risk, but this does not change treatment decisions and is not prescriptive. ^[9]

Practical tips for safe use

• Moderation: 1–3 cups of green tea daily is generally reasonable for most people with skin cancer. Avoid large doses of green‑tea extracts unless your doctor approves. ^{[6] [7]}
• Let it cool: Drink tea warm, not scalding, to avoid esophageal irritation and risk. If steam is rising strongly, let it sit a few minutes. ^[3]
• Coordinate with your team: Bring a list of all supplements (including green‑tea capsules, EGCG, or “fat‑burner” products) to visits so your clinicians can check for interactions with your treatment plan. Cancer centers routinely advise this to keep therapies effective and safe. ^{[8] [6] [7]}
• Healthy routine: Continue proven skin‑cancer care: surgery or skin‑directed treatments for localized disease and, when needed, radiation, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy for advanced cases; lifestyle choices like sun protection remain key. ^{[4] [5]}

Bottom line

• Drinking green tea at moderate amounts is generally safe for people with skin cancer. There is no solid proof that it prevents or treats cancer, and it should not replace medical care. ^{[1] [2]}
• Avoid very hot tea and check with your oncology or dermatology team before using concentrated green‑tea supplements to prevent possible interactions with treatment. ^{[3] [6] [7] [8]}